Bost introduces bill to reform hiring at Veterans Health Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Mike Bost R-Murphysboro, and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., today introduced bipartisan legislation to reform hiring for human resources positions at Veterans Health Administration facilities.

The VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership Performance (HELP) Act instructs the VA to establish qualifications for each HR position within the VHA and establish standardized performance metrics similar to the private sector. HR departments at the VA currently have no such requirements.

“Our heroes deserve to receive the best care possible when they return from their service,” said Bost. “After reports surfaced of mismanagement and veterans receiving poor treatment at VA hospitals, I went to work with Rep. Sinema on the bipartisan VA HELP Act. Our bill ensures VA hospitals hire to the highest possible standard to make certain our heroes get the best quality care.”

The Government Accountability Office has published a report identifying serious human capital challenges and flaws within VA’s Human Resources operations that hamper VA’s ability to effectively serve veterans.